Bilstein 5100 - Probably a stupid question...

[Brewer]

So had the shop put on some 5100's on my 2018 1500 yesterday. I discussed with them prior that I wanted as level as possible without going nose high. We took measurements together and both agreed that given the difference between front and back the best option would be the 3rd ring @ 1.4" of lift which would leave the front about .25" lower than the back.

Well, in reality the front is .75" lower than the back now... which means we could have gone up one more to the 4th ring @ 2.1" of lift.

It's not a huge deal but I thought I'd ask... is it an easy job to move that ring up one more or is it basically a whole "install" and realignment again? I'm guessing the later but wanted to ask on the off chance it's not that big of a deal to move the ring up one more space.

Sorry for the stupid question. Thanks!

 

[John Jensen]

That's a good question, not stupid.
I don't have the answer but think it's close to a form of re-install.

 

[Smallblockmuscle]

It's a full re do basically

 

[Brewer]

damnit. okay. thanks for the info!! i'll just leave it alone. :-/

 

[Tim Garceau]

Ahh man, if you would've went higher you can compress the springs enough to move the snap ring down a notch without disassembly. Oh well, bolts should be easy to deal with the second time around at least.

Triple check they have the washer between the top hat and strut rod shoulder while you're digging.

 

[Truck Fun]

Does that mean the 1.4 setting is not relative to the height of the truck but to the design height of the original strut? So in your case, 1.4 was a lowering instead of a raise? Also, what model Ram do you have?

 

[Brewer]

Does that mean the 1.4 setting is not relative to the height of the truck but to the design height of the original strut? So in your case, 1.4 was a lowering instead of a raise? Also, what model Ram do you have?

no... i was lower before the install, so they definitely worked at 1.4" to almost level the truck. i can't remember the exact measurements now but i was between 1.4 and 2.1 inches lower in the front before install. i definitely did NOT want to be higher in the front so i chose to play it safe at 1.4. i thought that'd put be about a quarter inch lower. turns out it was 3/4. so guess i could have done the 2.1 after all.

they say on the paperwork that exact height change will vary based on the equipment you have and such. so i guess all you can do is make your best guess and hope you're close. unfortunately i guessed wrong.

 

[Gary2]

I have found that the settings on the Bilsteins are pretty accurate . If you changed the spring I can see the inaccuracy but reusing the OE spring designed for your exact truck. Most I have found is a slight settling as mine is about 1/8" lower a month after install . I will say that mine rides much smoother on 1.4 than 2.1. Smoother to me is when the suspension absorbs most of the bumps in the road vs transmitting the bump to the chassis. .